"The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them."
–Paulo Coelho
The morning greets me with its comforting, rhythmic cadence, as early light bathes the room in a tranquil glow. In these moments, I usually find myself at my kitchen, a space my friends whimsically refer to as my “coffee lab”. It's a playful nod to my passion for brewing, where each morning unfolds not just in the brewing of coffee but in the joyful art of creation and discovery.
Soon enough the rich, aromatic scent of coffee permeates the air, serving as a signal of a new day's beginning and a reminder of a journey that transcends the boundaries of mindless living. This journey, woven into the very essence of my being, is one of self-rediscovery1 and mindfulness2 – a quest for not just knowledge, but for profound understanding and connection with the essence of life.
In this odyssey, coffee emerged not as the protagonist but as a significant character, shaping and colouring the narrative in ways I had not anticipated. It wasn't the genesis of my transformation; instead, it was a revealing discovery along the way, a missing piece that added a rich layer of depth and nuance to my continuous pursuit of self-awareness.
This awakening in my journey didn't emerge from a grand, life-altering event but rather quietly materialised in the modest setting of a café, amidst a typical morning scene. That day, I was in the midst of my annual tradition - a dedicated time each year when I consciously break away from my usual routines and preferences, to explore new experiences and discover unknown facets of myself through that. It was within this context of deliberate experimentation that I found myself veering away from my standard breakfast choices. Instead of opting for the familiar comfort of egg-based dishes, I chose a lobster roll, an unorthodox but intriguing choice for my morning meal. This was more than a mere shift in culinary preference; it was a symbolic step in my journey, setting the stage for a significant moment in my evolving relationship with coffee.
As the moment to order my coffee arrived, a ritual I had repeated countless times, I was about to request my habitual oat cappuccino3. However, in that instant, I paused, struck by a moment of self-reflection. Despite my practice of mindfulness in various aspects of life, I realised that my coffee choice had always been an automatic one, unexamined and routine.
It was then, in a moment of clarity, I asked myself, “What do I truly desire right now?” The answer was clear: I wanted to experience the coffee more intensely, with less milk and more of its rich, bold essence. This introspection led me to choose a cortado4 – a drink that perfectly aligned with my newfound craving for a more pronounced coffee flavour and less foam. This wasn't just a change in my coffee order; it was a conscious decision reflecting a deeper understanding of my desires at that moment, marking a significant step in my journey of connection with self.
The day I chose a different coffee drink marked the beginning of a shift. What started as a simple deviation from my usual cappuccino awakened me to the subtleties of life and the power of choice. This newfound curiosity led me to explore a vast array of coffee types and brewing methods, each selection broadening my horizons and refining my palate. It was this journey of exploration and experimentation that ushered me into the captivating world of specialty coffee5. Here, in the realm of single origins6, every variety tells its own story, echoing the diverse narratives of life itself.